Rabeprazole for the prevention of recurrent erosive or ulcerative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Rabeprazole Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of rabeprazole 10 mg and 20 mg versus placebo for the prevention of endoscopically demonstrable relapse in patients previously diagnosed with erosive or ulcerative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) who had no oesophageal erosions or ulcerations at study entry. The study also assessed the effectiveness of rabeprazole in preventing GORD symptom recurrence and reductions in quality of life.

DESIGN/METHODS: The trial used a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group design and enrolled 288 male and female outpatients of > or =18 years of age. Patients were assigned to treatment with either rabeprazole 10 mg or 20 mg once daily in the morning (QAM) or placebo and followed for 52 weeks.

RESULTS: Both rabeprazole doses were significantly more effective than placebo in preventing endoscopically demonstrable GORD relapse (P<0.001 versus placebo). The cumulative relapse rate for rabeprazole 10 mg at week 52 was 23%; for rabeprazole 20 mg, 14%; and for placebo, 71%. Both rabeprazole doses were also significantly superior to placebo in preventing relapse of heartburn frequency (P<0.001 for all comparisons between rabeprazole and placebo), with no significant differences between the two doses. Rabeprazole was also significantly more effective than placebo in preventing relapse of day-and night-time heartburn severity, maintaining overall patient well-being, and reducing antacid use. Both rabeprazole doses were well tolerated; most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild or moderate. There were no clinically significant changes in clinical laboratory values, thyroid function tests, vital signs, or electrocardiograms.

CONCLUSION: Once-daily treatment with rabeprazole 10 mg or 20 mg is effective and well tolerated in preventing relapse of erosive or ulcerative GORD and associated symptoms and maintaining quality of life.